Creamy Paleo Zucchini Pasta With Artichokes & Turkey

This no-cook paleo pasta made with zucchini noodles and creamy artichoke sauce only takes about 20 minutes and is a perfect quick meal that is healthy and nutritious.

I originally made this dish as part of the bonus recipe book of no-cook and quick and easy meals for my 4-Week Paleo Reset program. A few of my program participants were requesting meals that either required very little cooking (especially for hotter months of the year) or were super quick to prepare. This zucchini noodle dish is exactly that! Only 15-20 minutes of prep and no cooking required.

This is a cold, creamy, pasta-like dish that is tossed in a sauce made with artichokes and cashew nuts. I love this sauce because it’s super creamy and hearty but won’t leave you feeling bloated like some dairy-based versions do. The whole thing is topped with sliced up turkey meat for extra protein, making this a complete paleo meal. This recipe is paleo, Whole30 and keto friendly.

The recipe is 2 servings but you should have some extra artichoke sauce left so you can easily make extra zucchini noodles to make a bigger batch.

Cook’s notes

Artichokes: Cooked artichokes are readily available from most supermarkets. I used artichoke hearts preserved in a slightly acidic brine in a can. Grilled artichokes are often available from Italian delis. Artichoke hearts are a great source of fibre and have an almost meaty flavour and texture. I often compare them to mushrooms or eggplant. When pureed, especially with nuts, they are creamy and delicious.

Cashews: I used some leftover roasted cashews, so my sauce has half roasted and half raw nuts. You can also use almonds, macadamia nuts or walnuts in this recipe. For a nut-free version, add some avocado and seeds.

Zucchini: Ideally, you would want to use a vegetable spiralizer to create pasta-like noodles. Alternatively, you can use a peeler to slice zucchini into noodle-like ribbons. Even finely diced zucchini would work well. Raw carrots can also be added.

Artichoke cream: You can double up on the ingredients to make a bigger batch of the artichoke cream as it’s actually very delicious as a dip. Store in a small container and enjoy as a snack with some celery or carrot sticks. You can make it ahead of time and store it in the fridge for 4-5 days.

For the ‘zucchini pasta’ part

Instructions

Place all artichoke cream ingredients in a blender or food processor. Whiz for 30-40 seconds, until blended and smooth. Scrape sides, if you need to. Taste for salt and add a little more, if desired.

Place the zucchini noodles or ribbons in a bowl and add 3 tablespoons of the artichoke cream. Add the onions and diced turkey meat and combine well, making sure the zucchini is evenly coated with the sauce. Serve topped with a little more of the green onions and some cracked pepper. You can also add extra lemon juice.